Featured image: I Am the Prophet, Jack Farkas, 1975, oil on canvas, 35.25 x 36.75 in. / 89.5 x 93.3 cm.
Jack Farkas’s artistic oeuvre captivates through his dynamic exploration of symbols, colors, and abstract forms.
Jack Farkas transforms symbols into vibrant narratives through oil pastels, blending abstraction and historical motifs. His works explore human emotions, spirituality, and the transformative power of color.
This article delves into three of his significant works—Color Energy Symbols, St. Peter’s Square, A, Triptych, and Hearts. Each piece reflects his unique vision and mastery of oil pastels, offering viewers a sensory journey through vibrant hues, spiritual motifs, and the transformation of universal symbols.
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06. 02. 24., Jack Farkas, 2024, oil pastels on cotton paper, 31 x 30 in. / 78.74 x 76.2 cm.
In Color Energy Symbols (2024), Farkas masterfully employs oil pastels on cotton paper to create a striking composition divided into four quadrants of circular forms, each radiating a distinct energy. The vibrant colors and interplay between bright and muted tones evoke a sense of movement, as if the shapes are in constant flux. Through this work, Farkas invites viewers to consider the transformative power of color and form. The circular motifs, rendered in contrasting hues, symbolize the cycle of energy and connection. The rhythmic arrangement of shapes suggests an intrinsic harmony, creating a meditative visual experience that resonates with both simplicity and complexity. By balancing color contrasts, Farkas establishes an immersive dialogue between viewer and artwork.
St. Peter’s Square, A, Triptych, Jack Farkas, 2005, oil pastel on paper, 54 x 45 in. / 137.16 x 114.3 cm.
St. Peter’s Square, A, Triptych (2005) represents another facet of Farkas’s creative exploration. This 54 x 45-inch piece, executed in oil pastel on paper, features 12 panels that evoke the architectural grandeur and sacred symbolism of St. Peter’s Square. Through layered arches and cross-like motifs, Farkas blends historical and religious elements with abstract modernity. The repeating forms and variations in color convey both spiritual interconnectedness and the passage of time. Each panel offers a different tonal and emotional resonance, revealing Farkas’s nuanced approach to visual storytelling. This triptych challenges viewers to engage with both the sacred and the abstract, fostering a dialogue on tradition and contemporary interpretation within sacred spaces.
Hearts., Jack Farkas, 2024, oil pastels on paper, 42 x 31 in. / 106.68 x 78.74 cm.
In Hearts (2024), Farkas revisits the universal heart motif through 12 distinct panels, each rendered in oil pastels on paper. The 42 x 31-inch composition transforms this familiar symbol into an expressive exploration of color, form, and emotion. The panels range from bold, saturated hues to softer, muted tones, reflecting a spectrum of feelings associated with love and connection. Farkas’s strategic use of negative space, color layering, and shape variation allows each heart to communicate its own story while contributing to the overall theme of the artwork. The repetition and evolution of the motif invite viewers to contemplate the fluidity of love and its multifaceted nature, elevating the simple form into a powerful emblem of human experience.
Jack Farkas’s Color Energy Symbols, St. Peter’s Square, A, Triptych, and Hearts exemplify his mastery of color, form, and symbolism. Through these works, Farkas transforms familiar motifs into profound visual narratives that challenge and inspire. His art invites viewers to explore the complex emotions, histories, and energies that shape human perception, leaving a lasting impression of vibrance and thoughtful reflection.
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Birds, Jack Farkas, 1973, oil on canvas, 40 x 30 in. / 101.6 x 76.2 cm.
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